Diabetes Dialogue: Diabetes Technology Updates and Standards of Care—2024

In this episode of Diabetes Dialogue: Technology, Therapeutics, & Real-World Perspectives, hosts Diana Isaacs, PharmD, an endocrine clinical pharmacist, director of Education and Training in Diabetes Technology, and codirector of Endocrine Disorders in Pregnancy at the Cleveland Clinic, and Natalie Bellini, DNP, program director of Diabetes Technology at University Hospitals Diabetes and Metabolic Care Center, discuss the latest in diabetes technology from December 2023, with a spotlight on announcements surround use of Dexcom’s G7 continuous glucose monitoring (CGM) system as well as the latest updates to the American Diabetes Association’s Standards of Care.

Dexcom G7 Integrations

The first half of December 2023 featured a month of December featured a pair of announcements from Tandem Diabetes Care, Inc. and Beta Bionics, Inc.

On December 06, 2023, Tandem Diabetes Care announced the launch of updated t:slim X2 insulin pump software with Dexcom G7 CGM integration in the US. At the time of the announcement, the move made the t:slim X2 pump the first AID option in the world able to use Dexcom’s latest CGM technology.¹

On December 07, 2023, Beta Bionic, Inc. announced the nationwide launch of a firmware update allowing users to update their iLet Bionic Pancreas automated insulin delivery system with the Dexcom G7 CGM system without any additional cost for new hardware. To use the upgrade, existing iLet Bionic Pancreas users can download or update the iLet app from the Apple App store or Google Play store beginning on December 18, 2023 and, once they have updated their iLet app, can update the firmware on their iLet Bionic Pancreas.²

Standards of Care—2024

Unlike many professional organizations, the American Diabetes Association provides an annual update on best practices for management. A reflection of the field’s growing interest in optimizing use of diabetes technology, the Standards of Care in Diabetes—2024 features more than half a dozen changes to the section on diabetes technology compared to the 2023 iteration.³

Notable recommendation changes are highlighted below:³

• Recommendation 7.1 was added to state that people with diabetes should be offered any type of diabetes device.
• Recommendation 7.2 was added to emphasize the need to start CGM early in type 1 diabetes, even at diagnosis, to promote early achievement of glycemic goals.
• Recommendation 7.3 was added to emphasize healthcare professionals should acquire sufficient knowledge for the use and application of diabetes technology for people with diabetes.
• Recommendation 7.24 was refined to emphasize the usefulness of insulin pens or insulin injection aids for people with dexterity issues or vision impairment.
• Recommendation 7.33 was added to emphasize continuation of personal CGM use in hospitalized individuals with diabetes when clinically appropriate in a hybrid fashion and under an institutional protocol.

Relevant disclosures for Dr. Isaacs include Eli Lilly and Company, Novo Nordisk, Sanofi, Abbott Diabetes Care, Dexcom, Medtronic, and others. Relevant disclosures for Dr. Bellini include Abbott Diabetes Care, MannKind, Provention Bio, and others.

References:

1. Dexcom Inc. Dexcom G7 is now the most accurate, smallest, easy-to-use CGM connected to the tandem t:slim X2 Insulin Pump. Business Wire. December 6, 2023. Accessed December 18, 2023. https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20231206143334/en/Dexcom-G7-is-Now-the-Most-Accurate-Smallest-Easy-to-Use-CGM-Connected-to-the-Tandem-tslim-X2-Insulin-Pump.
2. Hynes K. Beta bionics announces the nationwide launch of the Ilet Bionic pancreas with Dexcom G7 CGM System. Beta Bionics. December 7, 2023. Accessed December 18, 2023. https://www.betabionics.com/ilet-bionic-pancreas-dexcom-g7-cgm/.
3. American Diabetes Association Professional Practice Committee . Summary of Revisions: Standards of Care in Diabetes-2024. Diabetes Care. 2024;47(Supplement_1):S5-S10. doi:10.2337/dc24-SREV